The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1887-07-20

this section Of the world---CaEsoa (tai-l
Appeol.
Going Home to Hang Sam Hus-
ton.
Into our sanctum walked a Texas vet
eraa the other day. who said he was on
a visit to New York, and observing the
sign, Texas Siffings." he thought he
would give Us a call We invited him
TO take seat. and he fell into reinin-
iscences Of Old times in Texas that were
very interesting. for he lived there All his
life.
BY the way. said he. did yoa ever
hear Of the time when the boys came To
Austin to hang old Sam Huston :
We had heard something about Il but
not all the particulars
well, you see" continued the Texas
man. IT was at the breaking out Of the
war for the independence Of the south,
and things we're pretty hot down that
way. sam Huston was opposed to 7e
eession. and in his blunt, fearless way,
he said 20, open and above board, and
this had created bitter feeling against
him amongthe freyuntamed Texans who
wanted 10 secede-
One day friend told Huston, whOwas
at Austin, that lot of young fellows had
come there with vowed purpose OF
hanging him. Huston didn't appear 10
De much concerned by the news, bat be
ascertained where the rendezvous Of the
sinister young men was II was saloon,
Of course. and while they we're discussing
their plans the door opened, and who
should stride into the room bat old sam
Huston
Good afternoon, boys" said the gen
eral, in a cordial sort Of way anything
new
aThey probably thought it something
new for a man ordained 70 be hung 10
F walk right into the hands Of his execu-
TONERS. saving them the trouble Of hunt
ing him up, and they couldn't speak for
( astonishment.'
singing out one of the young fellows,
the general said: Your face seems
familiar to me young man, do you live
around her2'
@The young man replied that bis home
was in the vicinity"
What might l call your name "
asked Huston.
Lamar
what was your fathers name2 "
continued the general, eyeing him close
ly.
Henry Lamar"
What cried the general, a son Of
brave old Henry Lamar Give me your
hand. boy. We were old comrades on
many hard fought field. He saved my
life once by shooting Mexican whose
bavonet point was at my heart | am
glad to meet a son Of Henry Lamar. You
have friends here looking around). Who
Is this stalwart young fellow ? He re-
minds me Of dear friend who perished
It the Almo. Were it twenty-five years
ago should extend my hand and say,
put 1t there, George Courtney.
/ Why, 1 am George Courtney-that is
nv name, said the young fellow.
You George Courtney Impossible y
He was massacred by the treaeherous
and cowardly Mexican dogsat the Almo :
cried the general with mingled excite
rnent and emotion.
Il am his son, SIR" said the young
man with moistened eye and trembling
lip.
The general shook him warmly by
the hand, while be told him Of the time
when his father and himself shared
together the dangers and privations Of
border life
My father, too, fought with you, gen
eral,7 cried another young man, whose
memory had suddenly returned to him.
Do you remember Colonel Under
wood
Not Tom Underwood"
Yes, Colonel Underwood He died
several years after a Mexican battle in
which he was previously wounded.
All" said the general with tear in
his eve, poor Tom nursed him my
self after that job. How wogld ike to
Il. down and talk over that retreat Of
three hundred miles from Santa Anna,
in which we partieipated-hOw We
turned upon him at length at san Jacin-
to. annihilated the Mexican army at a
blow and the independence ofTexas was
won All, boys, that was a glorious day
April p. 1898. The date is engraved on
my memory at least.
As the old hero recalled the memOr-
les Of that event he drew himself up %
his full, magnificent height, his eyes
cleaned with the old ardor, and as his
: massive form swelled be appeared demi-
god to his breathless listeners. Then by
a sudden impulse one Of them cried:
aThree cheers for sam Huston And
they were given with a unanimity and
f.rvor that made the saloon fixtures rat
. tie
Thank You, boys said the general
with moistened eyes. 1 see you are
Texans stiIl +"
Then the general remarked, incl
dentally, that he had heard there was
some talk Of stringing him up because OF
his welI known sentiments regarding
secession, and asked if anything Of that
sort had reached their ears"
; "They said they had heard nothing Of
IT, and they asserted with entire unanimi-
ty that it wouldn't be healthy for any
one in Austin to underfakethe job while
they were around. Theystated emphat-
ically that man who bad done Is much
for Texas as Sam Hustonhad was enti-
tied to hold any sentiments he id
pleased?r